Wee's EPF stand casts shadow on festival of lights eve, says Charles

As the nation prepares to celebrate Deepavali, known as the festival of lights, MCA president Wee Ka Siong appears “adamant in luring even more darkness into the future of migrant workers”, according to Charles Santiago.

The former DAP lawmaker, who said he read Wee’s statement with “absolute disgust”, chided the latter for giving the impression that migrant workers should not be treated fairly or enjoy the same incentives as Malaysians.

“What he overlooks, however, is that many Malaysian workers abroad would similarly benefit from fair social protection and portable benefits,” Charles (above) added.

Yesterday, Wee urged the government to scrap its plan to require migrant workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and pointed out that Singapore’s government had recently exempted migrant workers from contributing to its Central Provident Fund (CPF).

“It is quite weird that Singapore is going in one direction and Malaysia is going in the opposite. The Singaporean government wants to focus on the welfare of its people, not migrant workers,” said the Ayer Hitam MP.

Wee also questioned the fairness of having the same yearly dividend payouts for all.

Charles argued that pension schemes offer invaluable social protection to the millions of migrant workers in Malaysia and making EPF deductions mandatory would create an equitable labour market, in line with international standards.

“Wee alleges that, unlike Singapore, we want to focus on the welfare of people who have come to do back-breaking jobs so their families back home can afford decent meals, healthcare, and education.

“Is this an archaic thought pattern or is Wee simply trying to revive his political career by making a populist statement?” he asked.

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Charles also cited the 2007 Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, which makes it obligatory for the 10 member countries to strengthen protection for migrant workers.

He said allowing EPF deductions must be a move towards honouring the pledge of ratifying key human rights instruments when vying for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for 2022-2024.

As Malaysia competes globally, Charles said, adopting fair labour practices and aligning with the Asean Declaration on Portability of Social Security Benefits would reinforce its standing as a regional leader.

“This alignment with international frameworks enhances Malaysia’s attractiveness to foreign investors, fostering economic resilience through a more inclusive and equitable workforce approach.

“So, Wee needs to think carefully before making statements that undermine social protection for migrants.

“And he must be told that pitting migrant workers against Malaysians to score quick brownie points for political longevity is vile,” he added.

Last Saturday, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan criticised DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok’s suggestion for the government to set employer EPF contributions for migrant workers at 1.5 percent while requiring the workers to contribute 10 percent of their income.

“Why must (migrant) workers pay more than their bosses?

“These kinds of discriminatory policies against migrants are typical of politicians playing to the xenophobic nature of our society,” he said.

Arutchelvan said migrant workers do the most dangerous, difficult, and dirty (3D) jobs which many Malaysians are not prepared to do.

“So, it is morally and justly correct that they should be paid a decent wage and giving them EPF will do justice to their labour,” he added.

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